142 (JYI'SY AM) BROYVN-TA1L MOTHS. [Jan. 



chardfi badly infested by tlie moth, which, if neglected, are 

 bound to serve in the near future not only as local pest spots 

 l.ut also as centers of distribution. These orchards are full of 

 nrirlected trees, but are a moderate source of revenue to their 



ners, hence cannot be cut and burned. On the other hand, 

 they are of low valuation, hence the owners' liability, under 

 the one-half of one per cent, clause, will not begin to be enough 

 for their proper care. This throws back upon the towns the 

 cost of clearing the orchards of the moth; and, as these towns 

 in turn are usually of low valuation, the State in the end must 

 ln-ar the major part of the expense. Here we are again con- 

 fronted with the lack of suitable appropriations by the State. 

 The superintendent believes he has done the best he could with 

 this difficult problem. Towns have been inspected and infesta- 

 tions located; owners of orchards have been induced to cut 

 hollow and worthless trees wherever possible; a general tinning 

 and cementing campaign has been inaugurated and insisted 

 upon in order to destroy the hiding places of the moth ; and 

 trees have been burlapped and properly attended, and sprayed 

 a? far as possible. But it is only honest to say that a mere 

 1 tea-inning has been made in this important work, and that in 

 most towns the orchards are in worse condition now than a 

 year ago. More money will be needed for this work if we are 

 to hold our own. Much money will be needed if we are to 

 make a gain. 



The importance of clearing infested orchards needs no ex- 

 planation to any one familiar with the gypsy moth. The birds 

 carry the caterpillars from thorn in 1 arise numbers in the early 

 part of the season; and the danger of transportation of cater- 

 pillars by human aacnrio and of moth nests on 1 tarn-Is or 

 fruit crates needs but mention to be fully understood. The 

 sn]tprintrndent. is convinced that but two courses of action re- 

 main open, if the important orchard problem is to be properly 

 ] -alt with. Either we must have large appropriations on the 

 I .art of the State, adequate to meet the needs of the situation, 

 01 we must adopt a new system of horticulture ly which a man 

 shall be allowed to keep only such fruit trees as he may be able 

 to care for properly. It is an open question whether the latter 

 course would not bo more advantageous to the owner, as well 



